Wishing all of my American readers , Family and Friends the very BEST of Thanksgiving to you all

I am so Thankful this year for my nearly restored health ...for the expert skill and brilliance of my Neurosurgeon that has made me almost brand new ....Who has taken my pain away and given me a new life ...I will always be so grateful also for her incredible Nurse Practitioner who was so kind and understanding and everything that a Nurse Practitioner should be and more ....I also would like to thank my Doctor my GP who is just like a Sister to me with the incredible caring and loving support she has given me throughout ...I feel very thankful to have a GP like her

For those who are not too sure what American Thanksgiving is about here are few of the traditions etc ...

THANKSGIVING TRADITIONS In many American households, the Thanksgiving celebration has lost much of its original religious significance; instead, it now centers on cooking and sharing a bountiful meal with family and friends. Turkey, a Thanksgiving staple so ubiquitous it has become all but synonymous with the holiday, may or may not have been on offer when the Pilgrims hosted the inaugural feast in 1621. Today, however, nearly 90 percent of Americans eat the bird—whether roasted, baked or deep-fried—on Thanksgiving, according to the National Turkey Federation. Other traditional foods include stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie. Volunteering is a common Thanksgiving Day activity, and communities often hold food drives and host free dinners for the less fortunate.Parades have also become an integral part of the holiday in cities and towns across the United States. Presented by Macy’s department store since 1924, New York City’s Thanksgiving Day parade is the largest and most famous, attracting some 2 to 3 million spectators along its 2.5-mile route and drawing an enormous television audience. It typically features marching bands, performers, elaborate floats conveying various celebrities and giant balloons shaped like cartoon characters.Beginning in the mid-20th century and perhaps even earlier, the president of the United States has “pardoned” one or two Thanksgiving turkeys each year, sparing the birds from slaughter and sending them to a farm for retirement. A number of U.S. governors also perform the annual turkey pardoning ritual.

Whatever you are doing this weekend have a very lovely time

We are doing something not so traditional ...I will tell you about it in a few days time

I am Thankful to you all for looking in to my blog from time to time and supporting me

It comes sometimes as a surprise to some people that here in Alabama in the deep South we actually have really cold weather and that Jack Frost pays a visit most evenings throughout December till as long as April ....Our first frost of Winter 2015 is on Sunday November 22nd ..it is expected to go down to 27ºf -3ºc ...it will get much, much colder during the Winter especially in January sometimes going as far as 15ºf or less ​So with the promise of Jack's visit this evening I decided to write a poem

Winter is coming to Maisonvogue

~~

Even in the Deep, Deep South;It’s time that Jack Frost arrives; Frosty breath bellowing out of his mouth;Making certain that no flower survives.

~~

Long dark nights and candle light;Crock pot soups and hearty stews; Owls hooting in the cold starry night;Holiday congregations fill up the pews.

~~

Happy times are every person’s hope;Thoughts of what the New Year will bring; So much to do, no time to mope;Waiting for the Church bells to ring.

by Janet of Maisonvogue

Having grown up on the British island of Guernsey in the Channel Isles ...just off of the North West coast of France we very rarely had snow and it was never that much ...although of course the island comes to a complete standstill when it does happen ..This also happens in Alabama But in Alabama we usually see at least one day of snow and in January 2014 it snowed for two days and a much larger amount than usual and caught everyone by surprise ...including my Husband Danny who actually had to sleep that night in his office on the floor as the roads were impassable Here are a few photo's I took the next day of the snow around our garden and the country road we live on

The beautiful Red Cardinal's look so beautiful in the snow showers coming down ...sometimes they are on our bright green Fir trees and I have seen up to 20 of them sitting on the snow laden trees ..looking like Christmas tree decorations in all their beauty

The birds eat all day long at the feeders cramming in as many seeds and suet as they can

The snow started to fall in our woods and on the top of the benches that we made for our Daughter's Wedding in 2013 ...that were adorned with pretty country quilts for our guests to sit on to watch the romantic woodland marriage ceremony

I love how the old country split rail fence looks with the snow collecting on the top ...and of course Danny's old 1951 Ford Truck always looks great wether it's covered in snow or fully laden with hay bales and wedding appetizer's welcoming our guests to the country wedding

Mary, Mary Quite Contrary and animal prints all in the snow

This is how our road looked ..just slides of ice ...just impossible to drive along hence the photo below that Danny took on his way home the next afternoon showing the entrance to the road and all the abandoned vehicles...so glad that Danny didn't try to come home to me the evening before ..

Even in the Deep, Deep South;It’s time that Jack Frost arrives; Frosty breath bellowing out of his mouth;Making certain that no flower survives.

So stay safe and warm where ever you are and if you should be so lucky to be in a warm part of the World we will say 'hello' to Jack Frost for you

Hi...I had a very good time at the Thrift Store this week ....I didn't find too many items but what I did find are quality ...Just 'as new' and I just LOVE them

I found this lovely Carol singer ...She is a generous 18" high and is in perfect condition ..not even a speck of dust ....I just love her .....I paid just $2.99 for her ...what a bargain

As you can see she has a gorgeous jacket on and it's all trimmed with faux fur ....I love all the colors

I also found this Emperor Art Creation's Candle ...So beautiful ..it was still wrapped and in it's original 'as new' box and I paid only $1.99 ....apparently when you light it and it burns down it looks just like a beautiful lantern ...how cute it is ...I look forward to enjoying it nearer Christmas

This is the other side of the candle

As you can see my Christmas Cacti is in full bloom ...I bought it 2 years ago and it was just a tiny plant but this year it is just blooming and blooming ...I keep it in the kitchen all Winter but I put it out for the Summer in the shade on the back deck

Here you can see more detail of the Carol Singer ...I will have to give her a name

Her lantern is a good size too ....it's so pretty I just love it

She has a lovely painted porcelain face ....I love the eyes especially

I also found this cute little "Willow Tree" 'Friendship' girl ....she is brand new ...had the original label for $16.99 and I got her for 0.25c .....isn't that crazy ...she is in perfect condition as you can see ...I just love her and she will have pride of place on my bookshelf

Great detail in the lantern

I had such fun finding these Christmas Decorations ...I also found 3 other lovely Christmas Candles all brand new for just a few cents ....

I NEVER buy candles from a store ...I get them all from the Thrift store mainly for around 0.25c ....I usually find at least 3 every week

And Danny and I love to have at least 4 lit every night ....as we don't have a fireplace and it makes the room look really cozy ...at the price I get them we have no problem in lighting them every night

So go and look at your local thrift/charity store and see how many you can find

This is one of my favorite desserts ...not just to make but also to eat ....

It's JUST PERFECT to make for Thanksgiving ..as it will feed a crowd and is easily transported to the venue ...not only this but can be made the day before and DOESN'T NEED TO BE REFRIGERATED ..so more room in the Fridge

Once you have eaten it you will want to make it over and over again

It has everything a dessert needs....and is so comforting to eat ...it has Pineapple, Coconut and Pecan's in it ...what more can I say ....

You can of course use different kinds of nuts ...but down in the Deep South is where Pecan's are grown so they tend to be the most popular to use in recipes around here

I discovered this recipe on Louanneskitchen ...that nowadays seems to no longer be operating ...unless you know different ...if so please let me know

Make the cake:Preheat oven 350ºf/180ºc'Gas Mark 4Spray a 13x9 baking pan with non-stick cooking spray; set aside.Mix together flour, baking soda and salt; set aside.

Cream together eggs, vegetable oil, pineapple (with juice from can), sugar and brown sugar.Mix in flour mixture until all ingredients are well combined.Pour batter into baking panBake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and toothpick inserted in middle comes out clean.

Reduce heat to medium-low and boil mixture for 12-15 minutes or until a light caramel color; stirring occasionally.Remove from heat and stir in vanilla, coconut and pecans.Let icing cool 5 minutes then spread over warm cake.

Wait 2 hours before serving.

Cake does not need to be refrigerated.

I hope you choose to make this if not for the Holiday's then just for a comfy time with a cup of tea in the long Winter days ahead

Hi ..Here are some great gift tags for you to print out and use ....There is even a funny one to hang over the neck of a bottle of wine etc....I have included ones for all tastes Just print, then using spray craft adhesive ...glue the sheet of paper on to some pretty stock card ( available from your local craft shop) and then cut out each tag ...punch a hole ...add ribbon or twine or even wool and hey presto you have some lovely handmade tags to add to your gifts

Here is my Husband Danny's favorite meal ....it's my own version of Cottage/Shepherd's Pie ....this one is really the Cottage one as it's made with beef ..the Shepherd's Pie version would be made with ground lamb...​My version is so beefy ..it's nice and sweet and tomatoey too

Here are the ingredients you will need ...

A sprinkling of Olive oil or Vegetable Oil

Approx. 1 lb ground (minced) Beef

One large onion ....chopped

A few carrots ...peeled and chopped in to small chunky pieces

Salt and Pepper to taste

A few splashes of Worcestershire sauce (optional)

1-32 oz can of Crushed tomatoes or two 16 oz ones

1- 10 oz can of Condensed Tomato Soup

Nearly a full carton of Chicken Broth (keep the rest just incase you have to add more whilst it cooks)

Once it's cooking add the ingredients below

Small bag of Frozen Sweet Peas

Small bag of Frozen Whole Kernel Yellow Corn (Danny loves lots of corn so that is what he gets )

KEEP THE GRATED CHEESE TO PUT ON THE TOP JUST BEFORE COOKING

You will be topping it all with creamy mashed potatoes so you will need four or more large peeled baking (Jacket) potatoes chopped in to small pieces A stick of butter ( 4oz)1/4 cup of Milk Salt 'n' Pepper to taste

​So here are the chopped onions...Wow !! ..ha! ha! ....Put a few splashes of olive oil or cooking oil in the pan then bong them (the onions) in a deep Saucepan along with the ground Beef ....hard so far Huh !! ...I like to season the meat with salt 'n' Pepper to taste before it cooks that way it gets inside the meat ...that's my theory anyway and then I add the splashes of Worcestershire Sauce ..

Once the meat has browned add the Carrots .....just throw them in and stir ...then add the Crushed tomatoes, Tomato Soup and nearly all the box of Chicken Broth ...I wash out the Tomato Soup can with the broth so I get every bit of sweet tomato goodness

Finally add as much of the Frozen Sweet Peas and Corn as you like and once it has got up to near bubbling then just turn down to a very small simmer and cook uncovered for about an hour and half , stir occasionally ..till it's reduced and is thick and yummy...only add more Chicken Broth if you don't want it so thick ..we like it thick

Now here is how I mash the perfect mashed potato ...well that is what my Hubby and Son says it is ...put chopped up peeled potatoes in a large bowl or Pyrex jug with a 1/4 cup of water ..cover and microwave on high for approx. 15 minutes ...test that the potatoes are nice and soft ...alternatively cook on the stove top..Drain all of the liquid if there is any away ....then I get my trusty hand mixer out and put in one stick of softened butter (not melted) and about 1/4 cup of milk then whisk up till just about perfect ..then add salt to taste

I made enough for two pots one to cook and one to freeze for another lazy cooking day ....or busy work week day ...these pots will easily feed 4 to 5 people each so that makes the whole recipe for about 10 people in all ...I like to use non stick spray on my pots but it's fine without ...now top each one with half of the potato mixture and swirl it around then top them with lots of grated cheese ( you can leave it off on one of the pots if you are going to freeze it ..then top with grated cheese when you are going to cook it

Here is ours for today's meal and being that there are only two of us we will have enough left to heat up in two days time for another easy cooking day

Pop it in to the oven at 400ºf - 200ºc or gas mark 6 ...for about 30 mins till the cheese has browned and it's all bubbling hot

Here is ours ready to eat ....add some garlic bread or a nice green salad as a side and hey presto ....your Cottage Pie is ready to eat

Here's mine ....just ready for me to eat up ....I actually came back for a few more seconds and left out the garlic bread ...but Danny had a large portion and also enjoyed some garlic bread I made with Ciabatta bread and lashings of cheese on top

I couldn't resist sharing with you this fun and cheery Snowman Cheese Ball ....so easy to make and simple ingredients ...make the day before or even two days before and then just arrange in the center of your choice of crackers or Artisan bread

Finally I cannot imagine a more perfect way to sit and pass the day than sitting here ..with my French coffee and delicate French Meringue's ...watching the world go by in the Paris streets below ...and watching the lift go up and down inside the Eiffel Tower ....

In the evening it must be perfect too as the Eiffel Tower will be lit up most night's in different colors

Autumn is creeping on at Maisonvogue and I was lucky enough to find some lovely teacups and plates at my local Junk/Antique store .....So I thought I would show you some of them​The teacup and the tea plate with the big pink rose in the centre were finds at the Junk store and are both in mint condition and are called 'American Rose' warranted 22k Gold decoration they are made by 'The Paden City Pottery Company , USA

I was also overjoyed to find some Limelight Hydrangea Plants in our local garden centre ...I have been looking for them for over two years since we used some of my Sister in Law's for our daughter's wedding floral arrangements in 2013

They grow in to large bushes and are very hardy so perfect for our new garden border ...I will be able to pick them for the house and also dry some for arrangements next year ...I can't wait ..they change in to different colors from white, limelight green and then to a pinky color in the Autumn ..these plants haven't ...I am guessing it is because they are new ...

Don't you love this bright and cheery teacup ..it's not vintage ..I bought it from Home Goods and it's by 'Gracie' ...but I just had to have it ...I found it on the 'sale' shelf for just $3.99....I especially love the little bees on the pattern and of course my favorite thing for a teacup is that it has a pattern inside the cup as well as the outside

Do you see the little bee inside the teacup ..there are several on the saucer too

We have had a strange Autumn ...too wet and with such a dry Summer ...the trees are acting very strange !!..The Bradford pear trees should be a bright red by now but as you can see they are still a deep green ..but they are also laden with tiny brown pear berries so I am expecting a huge flock of Cedar Waxwing birds to come in to the garden and eat them all up ..they just love them

The cedar waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)

Of course I had my little helper Bella ...she is so nosey and has to see what Mummy is up too in the garden ...just incase she needs to help

​I was very happy to find these teacups ..the one with the pinky violet flowers on the left just has a Japan marking on the bottom like in this photo ..but I only paid $1.99 for it and it's in mint condition so I just had to have it

As you can see Autumn is coming fast to Maisonvogue's woods....and we are now being allowed to look straight through the woods...hopefully we will now be able to spot a deer or two ..this is from our Woodland garden ..that I basically let it do what it wants and the birds just love it

My favorite teacup again !!

This plate is quite a find ...it is by 'Andrea' by Sadek ....it's in mint condition and isn't it pretty

Here are some of my favorite plates that I have had for years by 'American Atelier, Pompeii Fruit '..I just love them ..of course I had to include some of my favorite Christmas treats ..these are German Gingerbread and Apricot heart shaped cookies ..too yummy for words and I don't think will last till Christmas !! ..available at Aldi Grocery stores

The back deck is looking bleak but there are a few flowers still holding on

Below is how our back garden is looking at the moment and as you can see it's covered with leaves ....soon to be chomped up when we call the man to come and do a final cut of the lawns and clear the leaves ...have to wait a little longer for the leaves to fully have dropped

I hope your Autumn is going well and that you have some pretty colors in your garden

I have missed the bright colors here in Alabama but there is always next year

Have a wonderful day

And pop to your local Antique or Junk store to see what bargains you can find

Welcome to Sunday ...a day for rest and rejuvenating for the busy week ahead ..a day of comfort and family

A day to relax, raid your husband or son's sock drawer and cozy up on the couch with a lovely cup of coffee or tea

No need to worry about what is for Brunch ....I have this easy , yummy and satisfying Alabama Egg Stuffed Baked Potato........it has all your favorites in it ....very easy to make ....

This recipe is courtesy of Sara at Ourbestbites.com

These are hollowed out baked potatoes filled with cheese and toppings with an egg cracked right in there. It kind of all cooks together like a yummy omelet. Think of it like hash browns and eggs all in one portioned edible container. This is a fabulous meal for one, or for a whole crew. You’ll need fully baked potatoes for this recipe. This is a great use for leftovers! You can bake them ahead of time, or right before you need them. Slice a layer right off the top like this:

Then take a spoon and gently scoop out the insides. You’ll want to leave a layer of potato in there so don’t go too crazy. Save those insides for another meal! You can make mashed potatoes and I would put them in a zip lock bag or freezer container and freeze for a busy weekday meal

You certainly don’t have to do this next step, but I think it adds extra yuminess and flavor. Take a little melted butter and brush the inside of the potato all over. You could also just toss a little pat of butter in there, but I like to coat the whole thing. Sprinkle in a little salt and pepper as well.

Now add some cheese. Sara suggests that you can be creative; cheddar is always a great pick, or go with something like Fontina, Gruyere, or Muenster. ..but I personally love Cabot Seriously Sharp naturally aged Cheddar Cheese ...the one with the red tartan wrapper

Choose any fillings you like; think of an omelet or a quiche and what you would like in something like that. Cheddar and diced ham, or maybe sauteed mushrooms with Gruyere. Or you could go southwest with sauteed bell peppers and onions with pepperjack cheese. I’m going for a classic bacon and cheddar- can’t go wrong there.

Fill it up about 3/4 full, and then crack an egg right on top...and add few more toppings if you want. I’m doing more cheese and bacon and some green onions.

Preheat oven to 350º/180º gas mark 4 ...pop the potatoes in the oven and bake for about 15-20 minutes.

Now, even if you generally don’t like your eggs cooked over easy, you’ll want to keep them pretty soft in this recipe. The eggs will blend in with the cheese and butter and create all kinds of flavor, but what you don’t want is a yummy baked potato with a hard boiled egg inside! It’s helpful to not load the very top of your potatoes with so many toppings that you can’t see the egg. The only way to really know how it’s cooked is to keep an eye on it and touch it for softness after about 20 minutes.

Instructions:Preheat oven to 350 degrees.Slice a layer off the top of each potato. Use a spoon to gently scoop out insides, leaving a thin layer of potato against the skin and avoiding puncturing the bottom. Reserve scooped potato for another use.Brush inside of each potato with melted butter and sprinkle with a little salt and pepper. Sprinkle a layer of shredded cheese into each potato and add fillings as desired (vegetables, diced meat, etc.) Fill each potato about 3/4 full. Crack one egg into each potato. Sprinkle with a little more salt and pepper. Top with additional cheese and toppings if desired.Place potatoes on a baking sheet and cook for about 20 minutes. Egg whites should be set and yolks soft.

Just like an English Fruit Cake that is loaded with calories but in a small cookie you can just have one or two and not worry about it .So you can ENJOY your fruit cake ....the rest you can FREEZE as they freeze really well and can take out only the amount you want to eat ......They are not like an American fruit cake which most people seem to dislike this is a rich English fruit cake which most English people can not resist and eat too much of it ...this way you can control the amount you eat ...As you can see in the photo below ..they make GREAT GIFTS too ...and can be frozen before the big day and then taken out on Christmas Eve or the day before and once defrosted completely packaged up for a gift

Pork 'n' Bean Soup ....my own recipe ...PERFECT for the colder days ahead ...I make enough to freeze for other days just to easily heat up meals for a cooking free day

Here is the recipe for my very best and favorite recipe that I made up for Pork 'n' Bean Soup ....I make mine in a large slow cooker but it could be made on the stove top on a very low heat ...for approx. 7 hours ..I like to add some wilted spinach on the top of ours but you don't need to it will be equally delicious without ...

Here are the ingredients I used for mine ....this makes enough for 8 to 10 people ...being that there are just two of us we freeze it ahead in portions for that day when I don't want to cook

I used these beans but you can use whatever beans you would like ...

2 garlic cloves (optional)1 large Onion roughly choppedSmall amount of flour to toss pork in 1 Pkt of 8 Boneless Country Pork Ribs with all the fat trimmed off (or your favorite pork)2 cans Lima Beans,2 cans Great Northern Beans,2 cans Mild Chili Beans1 Large Can of Crushed Tomatoes (or 2 cans of small ones)1 Large box of Vegetable Stock1 pkt Onion soup mix ( mixed in to the Vegetable Stock)1 large baking (jacket) Potato cut in to small chunks (optional but I love potatoes)

Preheat Slow Cooker on High ....this is my slow cooker ...then add all of the ingredients except for the Sweet Corn (add this about 30 mins before the finish)

This is how it will look once you had added everything ....you can of course cut down the quantities if you don't want to have any left over to suit however many people you wish to feed

Cook your soup for approx. 7 hours 40 mins .....on High ...with the lid on Thirty minutes before you want to server it ​cook your Sweet Corn in the microwave on high for 3 minutes , drain and add to the soup as it will add a nice sweetness to the soup and you won't change the cooking temperature by cooking it in the microwave first

When you are ready to serve then start to wilt your half bag of Spinach in 2 tablespoons of low fat butter on a very low heat stirring now and again ...I like to serve the soup with homemade white cheddar biscuits (scones) ...I grate my own cheese from very strong white cheddar preferably Canadian..I grate 4 oz to make 6 biscuits once cooked I pour over melted butter that has garlic seasoning added to it

​Voilé a wonderful yummy soup that you will make over and over again ....as you can see it has all the beans, sweetcorn, potatoes and big chunky pork pieces in it ...

Cool to freeze the left overs ....we put it in portions for two hearty meals in old butter tubs or whatever containers you like ...you could even freeze it in Zip lock freezer bags by putting the bags of soup in a container to support it whilst it freezes then cut the bag off of the frozen soup to defrost or put the bag of soup in the microwave

Loaded Cauliflower ....is a great dish to make for any occasion even during the week ..it makes a great side ...you can put in a pretty dish and take it along to a Pot Luck, Thanksgiving, Christmas or any holiday

It's very pretty too ...as well as super yummy and very, very easy to make